Practices / Startup Law

Fidea Law Corporation advises founders, startups, and emerging growth companies from formation through financing, growth, and strategic transactions. We also assist foreign companies establishing or operating U.S. subsidiaries in Silicon Valley.

Our startup practice focuses on the legal matters most important to building a company, raising capital, protecting intellectual property, hiring a team, and developing commercial relationships.

Startup Formation

We help founders establish an appropriate legal and ownership structure, including:

• Formation of Delaware or California corporations
• Initial board and stockholder approvals
• Bylaws and organizational documents
• Founder stock issuances
• Vesting and repurchase provisions
• Intellectual property assignment
• Initial capitalization records
• Section 83(b) election guidance
• Required state and federal filings

Our Startup Formation Package provides these core services for an agreed fixed fee. The scope and fee are confirmed before the engagement begins.

Founder and Equity Matters

Clear founder and equity arrangements can reduce future disputes and prepare the company for outside investment. We advise on:

• Founder ownership and vesting
• Addition or departure of founders
• Stock repurchases and ownership changes
• Advisor and consultant equity
• Stock incentive plans
• Stock options and restricted stock
• Board approval of equity grants
• Capitalization-table review and cleanup

Startup Financing

We represent companies in angel, seed, and venture capital financings, including:

• SAFEs
• Convertible notes
• Preferred stock financings
• Term sheets
• Financing due diligence
• Investor rights and voting agreements
• Board and stockholder approvals
• Closing and post-closing matters

Technology and Commercial Agreements

We prepare and negotiate agreements that support a startup’s technology, personnel, customers, and business relationships, including:

• Confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements
• Intellectual property and invention-assignment agreements
• Employment and consulting agreements
• Software licensing and SaaS agreements
• Customer and vendor contracts
• Development and collaboration agreements
• Pilot and proof-of-concept agreements
• Distribution and strategic partnership agreements

Startup Outside Counsel

For companies that need ongoing legal assistance without a full in-house legal department, we provide outside counsel support for:

• Day-to-day corporate matters
• Board and stockholder approvals
• Financing and investor requests
• Contract review and negotiation
• Employment and equity matters
• Corporate records and compliance
• Strategic partnerships and transactions
• Coordination with tax, employment, intellectual property, and other specialized advisors

Outside counsel services may be provided at an hourly rate or under another fee arrangement based on the company’s anticipated needs.

Practical Counsel for Growing Companies

Startup legal needs change quickly as a company hires employees, raises capital, launches products, enters contracts, and expands into new markets. We provide practical legal guidance designed to help founders make informed decisions and establish a sound foundation for future growth.